| 20 February 2004 | Friday | 28 Zilhaj 1424 |
EU commitment to Pakistan
A path to peace
Rumor and scandal-mongering, miscommunication and misguidance are a serious menace in any society. Its negative affects become far more visible where people are not properly educated, and tend to believe whatever they are told.
Unfortunately, misguidance and miscommunication in the name of religion is very common in the societies where the faithful tend to believe everything, without being able to ascertain the truth.
Careful study of the Holy Quran and Ahadith (sayings of our Holy Prophet) reveals that making a statement without knowledge and also believing a statement without ascertaining the actual facts are forbidden in Islam.
Ayat 119 of Surah Al-Anaam says, "But many people without knowledge, mislead others due to what they themselves desire. Indeed, your Rabb knows best those who transgress."
It is in fact this desire of moulding the divine guidance to suit their own convenience, rather than moulding their own life to follow Allah's command, that certain people tend to split up the religion through miscommunication.
Ayat 159 of Surah Al-Anaam warns us against such people. "As for those who divide their religion and break up into sects; you have no part in them in the least. Their affair is with Allah. He will in the end tell them the truth of all that they did."
We must always remember that a serious responsibility rests on the shoulders of those who interpret Allah's command and convey it to the people. Only confirmed truth must be conveyed, without any other worldly consideration.
Ayat 6 of Surah Al-Aaraaf says, "Then shall we question those to whom our message was sent and those by whom we sent it." This is a clear warning that in the final reckoning, the guides and teachers will give evidence of their preaching the truth, and the wicked will themselves have to acknowledge the truth.
It will be like a court scene where the story is related, but the judge knows it all, even more than the parties can tell.
Allah has commanded us to always speak fair and never cross the bounds of decency. Ayaat 53 and 54 of Surah Bani Israel say, "And tell my servants that they should (only) say those things that are the best.
Satan in fact incites them to create (discord) between them. Satan is an openly avowed enemy to humans. Your Rabb knows better about you. He grants you mercy if He will or if He will, he punishes you." And you have not been sent as an advocate for them."
The above command refers to two situations: a. Even to your enemies you should speak fair: judgment belongs to Allah alone, for he knows all mankind best, and your personal knowledge is at best imperfect. Satan is always trying to divide mankind.
b. Amongst yourself also, you should not entertain suspicions, but speak politely according to the best standards of human speech. A false, or unconfirmed word may destroy all your efforts at building up unity, because the satanic forces of disruption are more numerous than the forces of unity.
Man should never, for a single moment, entertain a thought that would imply that he was wiser than Allah. Allah's knowledge is all embracing. If He grants mercy to some that you consider wicked or punishment to some that you consider righteous, it is your knowledge or your deductions that are at fault, not Allah's righteous plan.
Even the messengers and man of Allah are not sent to arrange or dispose of men's affairs, but only to teach Allah's message. Rumour-mongering has been condemned in the strongest of words in Surah Al-Noor.
Most of this is in the backdrop of an incident, which occurred, on return from the expedition to the Banu Mushtiliq in the year AH 5-6 relating to rumours about Hazrat Aisha (RA).
Ayaat 11 to 20 of Surah Al-Noor were revealed to condemn this act of scandal-mongering in the strongest of words. "It is a fact that those people who have come with this lie are from your community.
Do not consider this as bad for you, nay! it is good for you. The punishment for each one of them will be according to his sin. Most outspoken patron of the rumour-mongers will have the most severe punishment.
Whey did you not deliberate, when you heard the (rumour), you believing men and believing women, with good thought (that those accused are innocent)? They (believing men and believing women) should have said! "This (gossip) is clearly a lie. Had there not been Allah's grace on you and His mercy in this world and hereafter, then for (the profuse verbosity) in spreading this (rumour) you would have been seized by a severe punishment.
"When you spread (the rumour) through your tongues and through your mouths you started to say that of which you knew nothing, and you considered it to be a petty thing while with Allah it was a most serious affair. An when you heard it why did you not say, "It is not proper for us to talk about this. All praise to you, this is most serious slander."
Allah gives you an admonishment, "If you believe in Allah, you should never do such a thing again, ever, if you are momineen (true believing men and women). Allah clearly explains his reservations for you. and Allah knows, He is wise. Indeed for those people who love to spread scandal about people who believe, for them there is severe punishment, in this world and in the hereafter. Allah knows and you do not know" (Ayaat 11-20 of Surah Al-Noor).
The rumour-mongers and those who spread scandals have been declared as followers of Satan. Ayaat 221-223 of Surah Al-Shuara read, "Shall I inform you of people on whom Satans descend. They descend on every scandal-monger, sinner. (In their ears) they whisper heresy (rumour). And a majority of them are liars."
Scandal and slander of all kinds, specially, if emanating from persons you do not know, must be tested and the truth ascertained, before they are to be believed. Ayat 6 of surah Al-Hujrat clearly stresses this point, "Ye who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest ye harm people unwittingly, and afterwards become full of repentance for what ye have done."
Secret whispering is forbidden in Islam, except when required in the best interest of good and charitable deeds. Ayat 9 of surah Al-Mujadilah says, "O you people who believe! when you carry out whisperings in secret then it should not be whisperings to (excite people to) commit sin, and in hostility, and to (excite people to) disobey the prophets: but do it for righteousness and self restraint..."
The following sayings of our Holy Prophet (PBUH) are also relevant in this context. "When three persons are sitting together then two of them should not talk secretly, because this may be the cause for hurting the third person (Bukhari, Muslim, M. Ahmed, Tirmizi, Abu Daud).
"Two persons should not talk secretly, without permission of the third one, because it may hurt the third person" (Muslim).
The entire Surah Al-Humaza has been revealed to condemn the scandal-mongers. It reads, "There is woe for every scandal-monger, slanderer, backbiter, the one who is always finding fault with others; he who reckons that his possessions will always be with him. Nay, by no means! He will be thrown into "Hutama" where he will be shattered into pieces..."
In times of emergency, war or public unrest, thoughtless repetition of gossip can be extremely dangerous. If false, such false rumours may cause needless harm; if true, it may frighten the timid and cause some misgivings even to the bravest, because the other side of the story i.e. preparations made to meet the danger, are not known.
Thoughtless gossip, true or false, may also encourage the enemy. The proper course is to quietly pass on all news direct to those who are in a position to investigate it.
They can then sift it and take suitable measures to checkmate the enemy. To deal with news either thoughtlessly or maliciously is to fall directly into the snares of evil.
These guidelines are clearly available in the Holy Quran, in Ayat 83 of Surah Al-Nisa, which says, "When there come to them some matter touching (public) safety or fear, they publicize it.
If they had only referred it to the Apostle or to those charged with authority among them, the proper investigators would have tested it from them (direct). Were it not for the grace and mercy of Allah unto you, all but a few of you would have fallen into the clutches of Satan."
Let us all hope and pray that Allah gives us the moral and mental courage to desist from rumour-mongering, scandal- mongering, miscommunication and creating rifts among the Muslim ummah.
The writer is a retired commodore.
EU commitment to Pakistan
Since I became European Commissioner nearly five years ago, we have lived through many unforeseen conflicts: the shocking events of September 11, war in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Indeed, when I last visited Pakistan in spring 2002, many feared we were on the brink of a different war - between two major players in Asia and two important partners of the EU. Like a number of other European leaders, it was my task to urge restraint as tensions along the border with India threatened to reach breaking point.
So it is a great pleasure to visit Pakistan this week at a moment when we see a real chance of progress towards peace and reconciliation in this troubled region.
In a world short of good news, South Asia offers us some encouraging signals. This week we see the start of what I hope will become a steady process of dialogue between India and Pakistan. President Musharraf and Prime Minister Vajpayee have already taken impressive steps to restore confidence.
I know from my own experience working for peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland how much courage is required to rebuild trust. I know too, that it takes leadership to overcome long-held differences.
Friends of Asia - including the EU - can only applaud the mettle and determination of the leaders who have created a climate in which so much suddenly seems possible.
The Saarc summit in Islamabad in January produced remarkable results. This could not have happened without the bold steps towards rapprochement between Pakistan and India. Pakistan deserves full recognition for its role in making this possible.
The most exciting development is the agreement to create a south Asian Free Trade Area. The European Union is living proof that economic integration is a peacemaker: cooperation and free trade can transform political relationships between neighbours, however difficult their past history together.
Just under fifty years ago, after all, Europe was in ruins, torn apart by the rivalries of its great powers, which had drawn in combatants from across the globe, including South Asia. It took courage for old enemies to bury differences in the search for peace and prosperity. But we showed it could be done.
I hope that Safta can improve South Asia's security and economic prospects, and if Saarc members think it helpful, the EU would be glad to give active, indeed financial, support.
The world longs to see stability in South Asia - and democracy in Pakistan. We have followed closely the president's important recent decisions: to fold away his army uniform, and to settle the LFO issue in parliament.
These are significant steps, and the Europeans have noticed them. In late 2001 after the fall of the Taliban, and the important role Pakistan played at a dangerous moment for the world, all of Europe's leaders were determined that the EU should show its appreciation by taking our relationship up a gear.
We stepped up our political dialogue, offered a preferential trade package worth euro 210 million per year and additional development aid, in particular a 650 million programme for financial sector reforms.
The conflict in Afghanistan was depressing Pakistan's economy and exports and it was right that the EU should support Pakistan through that difficult period.
Since then, new challenges have emerged, but the EU will continue to stand by partners in the region. We will do all we can to help Pakistan maintain the momentum towards greater peace and stability.
That commitment is as real as it was three years ago, and those who suggest that some recent disagreement about trade are indications to the contrary are mistaken. Europe is Pakistan's biggest trading partner.
We are your biggest market and will become larger still after our enlargement this May with 10 new countries joining the existing 15. You have a substantial trade surplus with us and we are the most significant external investors in your economy.
These are the economic realities and I am sure we will be able to manage occasional trade disagreements in a way that does not disrupt them. Pakistan deserves to be helped in its task of building a dynamic modem economy. We will do what we can to assist as friends and partners.
The writer is European Union Commissioner for External Relations.
A path to peace
AT the end of the official-level talks about the future of India-Pakistan relations, the air of optimism which was generated by the joint declaration of the President of Pakistan and the Prime Minister of India issued in Islamabad on January 6 appears to persist.
Although the official statement issued in Islamabad on Wednesday did not report any specific progress on the outstanding India-Pakistan issues, it presented a roadmap which will hopefully lead to the ultimate destination of peace and stability as earlier identified by the leaders of the two countries. Much more is likely to be known after the expert and technical level talks scheduled to be held by August.
At the end of Monday's meeting of the joint secretaries of the foreign ministries the official spokesman in Islamabad had observed that the talks had received a fresh momentum.
A roadmap to peace has been drawn up and hopefully will continue to be followed up. The talks at the joint secretaries' level had resulted in an itemized agenda to be implemented at various other levels. It was not different from a similar agenda which the then foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India had drawn up in June 1997. Unfortunately, the particular agenda was abandoned not too long after its adoption. That at least, partly may have been due to a somewhat one-sided statement made by the then US ambassador in India who virtually encouraged New Delhi to play what he called "a key role in world affairs."
The abortive attempt to start a bilateral dialogue in 1997-8 however did not put an end to Pakistan's attempts to establish meaningful contacts with India. The prime ministers of the two countries had a meeting in New York concurrently with the UN general assembly session. In his address at the session Mr Nawaz Sharif even proposed "equal restraint agreements" between the two countries concerning nuclear and ballistic weapons, even though nothing came out of his initiative.
India-Pakistan relations passed through a most tense phase when India conducted three underground nuclear tests in Pokhran and two days later carried out two more tests. While Pakistan was still procrastinating over whether or not it should resort to a tit-for-tat response, the Indian leaders unfortunately chose to give vent to what could only be regarded as something threatening statements. The Indian prime minister reportedly said that India now had a nuclear weapon while the Indian home minister even more pointedly declared that Islamabad should realize the implications of the development and "roll back its anti-India policy."
Despite President Clinton's request to the contrary Pakistan decided to conduct its own nuclear blasts at Chaghai in Balochistan but then declared a unilateral moratorium on any further nuclear testing. It invited India to join in an agreement banning future tests. There was no positive response from India, not even after President Clinton reportedly offered Islamabad a "lucrative package" for not joining the nuclear race.
Tensions in the subcontinent continued to rise, even after a summit meeting between Mr Vajpayee and President Musharraf in Agra in mid-July 2001. It was in early 2002 that the situation began to defuse with President Musharraf calling upon India to but an end to the military action against the freedom fighters in the occupied Kashmir.
Both India and Pakistan appear to have commenced the dialogue for peace and stability in the region with the will to fulfil the pledge contained in the joint declaration issued in January.
However, any progress with regard to the resolution of the Kashmir dispute cannot yet be predicted. Even the official spokesperson of the White House while welcoming the commencement of the India-Pakistan talks reportedly cautioned against the feeling that the "Kashmir dispute would be resolved soon." The hardline elements within Pakistan continue to maintain that they would accept no "compromise" on Kashmir or the nuclear issue.
The report that Pakistan had asked India to negotiate a joint agreement to reduce the threat of war "between the nuclear armed rivals" is certainly reassuring.
On Kashmir too there is a general consensus that resort to war must be firmly ruled out. Significantly, many among Pakistan's foreign friends also feel that this time round the subcontinental neighbours have a good chance to resolve the Kashmir issue.